How do horsepower and torque differ?

Have you ever sat down and looked at all the details associated with your new Toyota and felt like it was another language? At Toyota of N Charlotte, we completely understand. Specifications can be confusing and anything but helpful, so we’re here to clear up some of the more common elements of your new Toyota’s performance – particularly, horsepower and torque! You know that both are essential to a great driving experience, but how do they differ, which is more important… and more significantly, how do they work together? Our Charlotte Toyota Service Center has the answers!

Horsepower keeps your new Toyota cruising

Horsepower is basically the speed factor behind your new Toyota near Charlotte. It measures the amount of power your engine can put out – for example, the N Charlotte Toyota Camry offers drivers 268 horsepower. This factor helps you maintain high speeds when you’re cruising the highway, and it’s a great aspect of performance to consider in a sports car. However, here’s the catch – horsepower doesn’t GET you to the speed you want. It maintains it once you’re there, but in order to even reach your desired speed you have to bring torque into the equation!

Torque provides your N Charlotte Toyota with get-up-and-go

Torque is a little bit harder to explain, so think of it in simple terms. Let’s say you’re turning a wheel. The more force you put into it, the faster the wheel will turn. This is how torque works; it utilizes your N Charlotte Toyota’s engine abilities to get things moving. If you have a lot of torque, you can reach high speeds faster. It’s also a necessary implement when you’re towing something behind your new Toyota – you need your engine to work harder to be able to get off to a running start with that extra weight factored in. The 2013 Toyota Tundra in N Charlotte, for example, is a great option for towing – you can pull in up to 401 lb-ft of torque when you choose the 5.7L V8 engine!

However, these two aspects of performance have to work together in order to achieve results. Like we said, your new Toyota requires torque to get moving, and horsepower to stay moving. Thus, you should factor your performance needs into your decision when considering which is more important! If you want something that has a ton of get-up-and-go or superior towing capabilities, place torque at the top of your list. If you want vehicle that can maintain high speeds when maneuvering, horsepower might be a more important factor. If you want an excellent overall performance, then both should be considered when you visit our N Charlotte Toyota dealership!

Come on down and see us today to find the perfect new Toyota for whatever your needs may be. We’re at 13429 Statesville Road, and you can call our internet sales team at (888) 883-3797 today to find out more about our new Toyota specials and what we’ve got on the lot! See you soon!